Frank is the founder and director of the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York City, where his personal blend of Western and many “other” medicines, has helped thousands of people recover their energy and zest for life.

Tag: cravings

It’s quite debatable whether carbohydrates are essential for human nutrition, but for most people, they’re the fuel their body runs on. Going on an extreme low-carb or no-carb diet causes some folks to have barely enough energy to hoist a coffee cup in the morning. At the opposite end of the scale, overdoing it on carbs, even the good ones, ends up having a negative impact on mood, weight, energy, digestion, immunity, and more. In my practice, I would say most people seem to eat more carbs than their metabolism can handle.

This “stress hormone” is essential for energy and health, but when it’s out of balance, you are, too. Learn how to manage cortisol to keep inflammation, cravings, and belly fat at bay.

Cortisol has a bad reputation.

Commonly known as the “stress hormone,” it’s produced, in part, by the adrenal glands when we’re under pressure and perceive a threat. The pituitary gland determines how much hormone the adrenals should release to help us fight or flee.

As a functional medicine physician, I’m used to helping my patients find the solutions to their health problems. When they start gaining weight and feeling fatigued, for example, I become a kind of detective, searching for clues as to how their diet and lifestyle might be interfering with their bodies need to achieve optimal function.

So, when I myself began putting on some extra pounds and struggling with late-afternoon exhaustion, I had to look at my own food choices.

To me a new year’s resolution needs to be positive and uplifting in nature! I ask myself question like: What do I want more of in my life? What will serve my body and my mental state the most? And what do I want to focus my attention on? If you’re going to be putting energy, time, passion and brain power into something – at least make sure it’s something you’ll enjoy and feel good about.

For over two decades, Dr. David Ludwig has been at the forefront of research into weight control. His groundbreaking studies have contributed to new understandings of the relationship between diet, hormones, metabolism and body weight. Dubbed an “obesity warrior” by Time Magazine, Dr. Ludwig has fought for fundamental policy changes to support a healthier food environment.

If you’re constantly tired and reaching for your next pick-me-up, chances are you’re on a blood sugar rollercoaster. When we’re tired, we often reach for even more sugar to counteract the fatigue, which leads to a cycle of sugar-fueled highs and lows. If you decide to cut out sugar, give your body a few days to adjust – and then you’ll begin to feel your energy levels even out.

We’ve all had those days when you’re craving sugar so badly that nothing seems to help. The usual distractions are just not working, and you really want a chocolate brownie or ice cream. Here are some recipes garnered from our team of Health Coaches to help you overcome sugar cravings and make a healthier choice: